Washington: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and head of a high-level parliamentary delegation, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to play a proactive role in facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India. In an interview with AFP during his visit to the United States, Bilawal stressed that while Pakistan is ready to discuss terrorism, any meaningful talks must place the Kashmir dispute at the center.
The PPP leader warned that India is setting a “dangerous precedent” in South Asia by justifying military aggression in response to terrorist attacks, effectively undermining the potential for peaceful resolution through diplomacy. “The fate of 1.7 billion people and two great nations cannot be left to faceless, non-state actors, nor dictated by India’s new normal,” Bilawal said.
His remarks come after a recent escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, which saw four days of intense cross-border hostilities involving missiles, drones, fighter jets, and artillery. The conflict was halted only after the U.S. stepped in to broker a ceasefire on May 10.
The Pakistani delegation, formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last month, has been actively engaging with American lawmakers and international diplomats to present Islamabad’s stance on the ongoing tensions. During a meeting on Thursday with the U.S. Congressional Pakistan Caucus in Washington, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace, while expressing disappointment over India’s continued resistance to dialogue.
Lawmakers present at the meeting included Republicans Jack Bergman and Ryan Zinke, as well as Democrats Tom Suozzi and Ilhan Omar.
Bilawal also criticized India’s move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a reckless step that could further destabilize regional peace. Earlier, he had warned that India’s aggressive water policies could risk triggering a nuclear-level conflict.
The Pakistani delegation is expected to continue its diplomatic outreach in the coming days, urging the international community to push for comprehensive and sustained dialogue between the two South Asian rivals.
